Cairngorms:
Tom and I had planned to have another go for Ptarmigan at dawn, but we awoke to heavy rain and could not see the mountain tops. We therefore packed up camp early and breakfasted, by which time it had cleared. Leaving Erul we then made another attempt, seeing six displaying Red Grouse but no Ptarmigan.
Loch Garten:
We then collected Erul and headed to Loch Garten for more photographs and another Crossbill attempt. We didn’t have long as we needed to begin the long drive back to get Sam in bed at an early hour as he had exams the next day.
We walked around a trail where I had previously seen both Crested Tits and Crossbills fifteen years earlier, and stumbled upon a giant Wood Ant nest that had been there a huge number of years (from before my last visit.) 
During the circular walk we also saw four more Common Sandpipers and three Goldeneyes, as well as a few Red Squirrels. Just as we were packing the gear away, Tom connected with a male Crossbill that turned out to be a Scottish Crossbill; just about the last bird we saw. Definitely couldn’t make it into a Parrot (that will have to wait), but a final new bird for Tom.
A few Ravens were noted on the drive home.
